Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-02-17
three, when the word was passed back
that the enemy were advancing to the
attack. At once the general was on
bis feet and with his men at the front.


cedar tree now stands. McLaws'
division of the rebel army was assign
ed the duty of making the assault.
Maj. Lawder says that they advanced
in three columns by regiments. They
were led by an officer on horseback,
and he says that in all his war ex-
perience be never saw such an exhi. |
bition of gallant bearing as that Off
Ger exhibited, as upon his prancing
steed he led his men upon the charge
into the jaws of death, facing a line
of battle which poured into their very
faces a continuous storm of deadly
bullets. Nerved by the heroic lead
ership the assaulting column never
wavered, but as their comrades fell,
closed up the line and pushed onward.
The ascent was gained, and they
pressed onward until their leader was
fairly upon the union line, his gallant
steed bearing him aloft with charm
ed life. The victory was almost won
the union line had begun to break,
when from the left, which was held
by the Eighth Michigan, armed with
Spencer carbines, there was opened,
as from furnace of death, an enfilad-
ing fire, which moved the compact
columns Of the rebels down like grain
before the reaper. 1t was more than
human bravery could endure, and
they turned and ran. The almost
earned victory was seized from their
hand and they were sent down the
hillside demorslized, defeated host.
The repulse was complete. Again
the batteries FROM the rebel lines
were opened and began to sweep the
field, and Gen. Sanders, seeing his
line in shape, started back in compa-
ny with Maj. Lawder to his shelter.
They were walking slowly, and the
general was commenting on the
splendid courage of the rebel officer
who led the assault. "What q gal
liant fellow he was," he said. The
words Of praise Of his enemy had
hardly escaped his lips when he
reeled and exclaimed, "I'm hit" A
sharpshooter from the tower in the
Armstrong house. with unerring aim
had pierced his side with a deadly
ball. Maj. Lawder caught him in
his arms and eased him to the ground
The shock bewildered him for mo.
ment, and he probably thought his
line was fleeing, for, with the spirit O
true hero unmindful of himself, b,
said to Maj. Lawder, I'm of n,
further use, go! Leave mel" In ,
moment or two the adjutant genera
came up and an orderly, and th'
three comrades lifting him up, car
ried him from the field, which wa
being swept by the enemies gun
He was large man, weighing abou
two hundred pounds, and with grea'
difficulty they carried him back tc
the house now occupied by Mr.. w
P. Washburn. Here an old laddel
was found. Covering this with I
carpet, a litter was improvised, ant
by the hands Of several of his gallan
soldiers the mortally wounded here
was carried to the city. Maj. Lawdel
then started out to secure an amhu
lance. As he came dashing towards
the city he met Gen. Burnside on hi
way out to the field. The old genera
, was devotedly attached to Sander
and the announcement sent pang L
his heart which his face could no
conceal. 1t took but few moment
for his charger to carry him to th
side of his comrade. Shortly after
ward Maj. Lawder secured an anbr
lance, and the general was conveye
to the Lamar House. His woun
was pronounced fatal by the surgeon
He fingered for few days surround
ed by comrades, and cheered by th
m,nistrations of tender affection--ft
he was beloved by the who
army. When it was apparent th'
the ebbing tide would soon run ou
his bed chamber was the scene Of Oh
of those gatherings which disclose Il
real character of the true soldie
His comrades, with Gen. Burnsic
nearest to him, stood about b
:, couch, silent, with arms folded ov
- = breasts hsaving with deep emotio
and hearts aching with bitter pal
= They looked upon their dying friel
= through crystal tears, and told the
. sorrow to each other by the pressu
r of the hand with brotherly grasp. !
- words were spoken till one OF them
- Christian soldier, taking an Episcof
= prayer-book up, broke the stillne
=. with the solemn exhortation: "L
us pray" Their heads we're bowe
and with trembling, fearful tones,
:, = lifted up his voice to the God OF b'
ties il the Beautiful prayer whi'
begins, 80 Father Of Mescies, al
God of all comfort, our only help
time of need, we fly to Thee for 81
COR" When his petition was ende
=, the lips of tine dying hero parted, al
: with peace-illuminated face be
:. sponded audibly, "amen"--and fro
soldiers heart there came, anne
amen. Then pent-up sorrow bul